CHAPTER THREE

The Scriptures show that when a man and a woman initiate their Marriage Covenant and then their sexual union, God creates their marriage bond. He joins them together, whether they understand that or not.

The Scriptures show that fornication does not constitute marriage. True, there is a 'one flesh' union, but notice 1 Corinthians 6:16 "What! Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? For two, saith He, shall be one flesh."

Verse 18 bids to flee the sin of fornication, therefore, fornication cannot be made to mean marriage. Thus, "live in" sex partners are both sinners.

Fornication is the sinful, sexual union between an unmarried male, and an unmarried female. Adultery is sexual intercourse between two people, one or both of which is, or has been, married to someone else.

There is a noble, Divinely given grace that marks the difference between marriage and fornication or adultery. It appears in the synergism of their Covenant (marriage vows), sexual union and the marriage bond whereby God joins them together. That synergism is proven by inseparable cleaving together in life, according to the Scripture. That synergism isn't present in fornication or adultery. It is a delusion to pretend that they are. Marriage MUST precede sexual union in order to obtain that grace in the marriage bond.

That bond is profound. God intended it to be permanent as long as the spouses live in this world. The Lord Jesus said the spouses are no longer two, but one flesh and bids: "What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder."

Now consider this. Until a man is married, he is still unde the auspices of his father's house, even though he may be an adult and live apart from his father.

When he takes a wife, he leaves his parents and begins a "new family" unit. It becomes 'his house'. His lineage is still from his father, but his family is distinct from his father's family. Acts 16:31 is directed towards a believer and his 'house'.

Mercifully, parents will not be lost if their children choose sinful lives and die lost. Also, children need not be lost because their sinful parents die lost. Each person is responsible for their own life before God. But Acts 16:31 offers a foundation for faith and hope. By it, a believer can claim the members of his family for God's Kingdom. Each of them will have to come to personal faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, but God's holy influence can help in that purpose.

1 Corinthians 7:14 shows that a believing spouse can sanctify an unbelieving spouse. Thus, a believer can gain God's grace for their children, and holy influence on their spouse. They can be freed from the ruin of heathen pollution. This is clearly a function of Acts 16:31! How deeply God cares for individuals and for families, and has provided great extensions of His grace to save them.

It is God's blessing in the house of the righteous, i.e., believers. Proverbs 3:33: "The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but He blesses the habitation of the just."

Hebrews 13:4 says: "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God shall judge."

God is never indifferent about marriage. His Word warns of retribution for sex sin. Some forms of retribution occur in this world. Some will come at the Great White Throne of Judgment.

Thus, I am persuaded, sexually transmitted diseases are part of God's judgment upon the sex sins of mankind. They would never have occurred in mankind otherwise. The Scripture shows that God shall judge and punish sinners with eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire. Revelation 20:11-15.

A fitting end to this chapter is the fact that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Yet, Whosoever will, may come and be saved from our sins. Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:9.

Jesus said that every sin that man shall commit shall be forgiven (upon repentance and receiving it through faith in Jesus Christ) except the unpardonable sin. That sin is NOT an ordinary sin that people commit. All other sins can be forgiven, and will be, because Jesus paid our 'sin debt' at Calvary. Acts 16:31 therefore applies to mankind in general. What a blessed promise!